C diff returning or hemorrhoids

[force025]

Hello,
I am new to the boards, and would be grateful for any responses. I am a 42 year old male, and was diagnosed with c diff in January after being prescribed cipro back in December of 2014. I was prescribed flagyl, and seemed to have gotten better and recovered. I quit taking my probiotics back in August, and relapsed in the beginning of October. I was once again prescribed a 10 day course of flagyl, but relapsed again 10 days after finishing them. I was then prescribed a 10 day course of 250mg vancomycin, which it seemed to help so much better. I am now almost 5 weeks off of the vanco, and have been having somewhat normal bowel movements. I have one normal size piece, followed by the few smaller pieces and few minutes later. Normally 1-3 times a morning. This morning I went to use the restroom and noticed after I had my normal sized piece, that I had blood on the toilet paper after I wiped, and a small amount on the end of the piece in the stool. I do have an internal hemorrhoid, and am pretty sure that is what it is. I then used the restroom a few minutes later with the smaller pieces, and there was blood when I wiped again, and there was blood on the last couple of pieces that came out. My question is, is this normal bowel movements after recovery, and do you think this is just my hemorrhoid acting up from the harder longer first stool? I am very concerned because it is the weekend, and me and my family leave for LA for vacation in the morning. I am not having any diarrhea, but my appetite isn't very good because of my nerves. I would appreciate any replies.

Thanks,
John

[NanciT]

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Hello John and welcome to the site. The above letter is our introduction

Sorry you are going through all this, but 5 weeks out is a great start. What you are referring to sounds like a normal recovery and with a history of Hemorrhoids that is what it sound like. Keep a watchful eye on it and in a few days and if it continues check in with your GI. Cdiff can aggravate so many things and what you describe sounds like Hemorrhoids especially with a history of them.
It takes time to recover and many of us get Post IBS which can cause several symptoms including going more than once. Sometimes BM's are all over the place in recovery. Some days can be loose, other's can be hard and difficult to go. It can be a slow process. The appetite issue can be on and off.
Are you taking any probiotic's? I have continued on VSL#3 and it helps with the Post IBS and recovery in general. I know how difficult it is trying to maintain a normal schedule through all of this but I would go on the trip with your family.
Take care and I hope you are feeling better soon!
NanciT

[force025]

Thanks so much for replying Nancy. I have been taking refrigerated probiotics that the pharmacist suggested. They have 20 billion CFU, and I take 2 pills once a day. I told him about the Vsl #3 that everyone in the chat boards recommend, but he said he always recommends these instead. My nerves have been out of whack today, due to the trip and getting everything at work together so I could go. I did drink a glass of citruscel today, and plan on taking some with me. I'm hoping that takes care of the hemorrhoids. One more question, I feel like I've had the urgency to go all day, but have not needed to, is that symptoms of ibs? Thanks again for replying.

[NanciT]

Hi John

Not sure where you are from but if the Probiotic is working well for you I would stick with it. VSL#3 is 112.5 billion live lactic acid bacteria and also must be refrigerated. It also helps with the IBS.
There are many symptoms to Post IBS and that is one that you have mentioned. It can also effect your appetite, cause spasms, abdominal pain but some just have a feeling they have to "go" and they really don't. If it continues to bother you there is a medication for IBS called "Levsin" which is an antispasmodic. I would talk to your GI about it. I still take it on and off.
CDIFF also causes alot of anxiety, especially when one is traveling. I took my first trip while on Vanco, could not eat much but was happy I made the trip!

[force025]

Nanci, where is the best place to purchase VSL#3? I would definitely like to try it, since everyone on here has had success with it. Especially if it helps ibs. Also, do you take the capsules? Also I'm from indiana.

[Bobbie]

VSL2 has its own web site.Google it. Posters have said it is cheaper at Costco. Do some research and see. It comes in two forms - capsules and packets - I believe there are more bacteria in the packets - more bang for the buck.

There are salves you can use for comfort re. Hemmoroids . Desitan is good one - outer area only - and there is one that sticks like glue and offers a lot ,of protection. It is made in Ireland - will google. Do check using these with your doc. There are also creams made expressly for hemms. If the blood becomes worse, contact your doc.

Welcome to the site.

The salve I mentioned is Sudocrem. It is available online.

[force025]

Thanks

[NikaNik]

Hi, John,

So sorry you're dealing with this. I agree with Nanci that five weeks out is excellent progress and that it sounds like hems could be the cause (and agree with Bobbie on the salves). If you start getting lots of blood, lots of mucus and/or D 3 or more times a day for more than 3 days in a row then I would ask about a PCR test. Post-infectious IBS is very common after c diff and I had the on/off appetite for months as well (mainly due to anxiety).

When you relapsed in the beginning of October was that confirmed with a positive PCR test? 10 months is a long time to go for it to come back out of the blue. The risk of relapse drops after the first month - with 12 weeks being more of a safe zone so to speak...some people relapse after that but it is not as common. Had you been taking antibiotics, oral steroids or anything for acid reflux?

Hope your symptoms improve soon. This is a great place for support.

Nikki

[force025]

Nikki,
Yes it was confirmed with a PCR test. My GI thinks I must have gotten another strand, since I hadn't taken any antibiotics or anything. I do take 150mg Zantac twice a day, but I heard it was ok since it is not a PPI. I am doing better, as far as no more blood in my bowls. I'm 100% sure it was just the hemis acting up. My bowels are the same though, not one piece one time, but several pieces twice in the morning. We are at Disneyland, so my healthy eating hasn't been the greatest, but I'm tolerating things pretty well. It does seem like I have some digestion problems after I eat. That is my stomach doesn't feel that great for a little while after I eat in the mornings. Not really sure exactly how the c diff came back, but the only thing besides what the doctor thinks, is that I quit taking my align in August, then in October it's back? My bowels have really never been normal the whole year. Anyway one day at a time I guess. I'm really hoping the vanco did the job this time. Thanks for your concern!

[NikaNik]

Two different strains - that is wild. Had you been in or around a hospital or nursing home where you could've ingested it again?

I also meant to add that with the IBS I also get the "pieces" type stools (although, before c diff I had guts of steel and went once a day and it wasn't always one piece). Also, at times, I get the feeling I may have to go even if I don't. Both are common with IBS so try not to worry and enjoy your trip! : ) LA is a favorite place of my hubby's and mine.

Blessings,
Nikki

[roy]

If your not having D 3 or more times a day its probably not c.diff related.
Did you have D in October?

Put it this way
If you had a dog and fed it on Disneyland food would you expect clean carpets in the morning?

[force025]

Nikki,
No I had not been around any hospitals or nursing homes. I honestly believe the c diff spores were still in the system. I can't see how I would have picked it up again. But I guess anything is possible? Roy, yes I had D back in October. All the signs of full blown c diff.

[stuyGuy]

I'm in a similar boat, but my C. Diff is ongoing. I tried flagyl for 8 days before deciding it did nothing and am now on vancomycin day 3, and seem to be moving in the right direction. I have one or two hemorrhoids that should be treated and I'm sure have been aggravated substantially by all the bowel habits of c. diff. It can be really frightening to see blood in the toilet, despite a perfectly good explanation. Even before I had c. diff, the hemorrhoids would flare up once in a while and give me anxiety causing more frequent bowel movements. It's not a virtuous cycle.

[force025]

I know exactly what you mean. If I see blood in the toilet as well, and I even know it's the hemis, the anxiety instantly sets in because you are scared to death that c diff is back. I have a very stressful job the way it is, and my stomach and bowels get messed up very quickly when I become stressed out. The last thing I need is to go back through that again.

[beth22]

Both of you should go and see what used to be called a proctologist, now colon rectal surgeon. I did when I had c diff and my hemorrhoids were aggravated.